I bet you miss the old internet…
Hey, it’s Matt.
Unboxing a new gadget used to feel like Christmas morning. Now it feels like opening a slightly different rectangle wrapped in marketing jargon. Software’s the same—designers once dreamed of changing the world, now they’re optimizing button placement for A/B tests.
Can tech ever feel exciting again?
This week, we’re looking at ways to inject soul back into the products we use and build, from trading cards that tell a story to design that actually means something.
In this edition of Digital Native:
- Discover the work culture secrets from a year at Linear that turned imposter syndrome into innovation.
- Explore the fading magic of human connection in the digital age—are we losing the internet’s soul?
- Unlock endless productivity with CopyCat’s AI-driven browser task automation, freeing up your time.
- From open-source side hustle to $2M ARR, see how community-driven growth is transforming business models.
- And more…
Enjoy issue #92—see you next week!
— Matt (@mattdowney)
P.S. If this was forwarded to you, you can sign up here.
Most interesting
Reviving tech’s soul with trading cards
Andrea Copellino suggests an exciting twist for tech unboxings—introducing collectible trading cards to reignite the thrill of discovery. With Nothing’s quirky ethos as the backdrop, these cards aren’t just paper; they’re storytelling artifacts, seamlessly blending nostalgia and tech. In a world that often prioritizes profit over user experience, this idea brings a personal, memorable dimension to our devices. It’s a potent reminder that tech isn’t just functional; it’s an extension of our stories. (Yanko Design)
Lessons from a year at linear that every founder should know
In his reflective piece on a year at Linear, Yann Glt shares how a focused culture with minimal meetings and a strong collaborative spirit allowed him to redefine their UI and improve workflows. This environment fostered personal growth and turned imposter syndrome into a driver for innovation. His journey highlights how trust and clear communication not only shape exceptional design but also cultivate impactful and cohesive teamwork. (Full Reflection)
Missed connections in a digital age
Jim Nielsen captures a fading magic we all cherished—finding that perfect online thread or post where someone “gets it.” Contrast that with today’s machine-generated answers—pragmatic but impersonal, missing human connection. This piece makes you think: Are we losing the soul of the internet? (Jim Nielsen)
Top resources
Redefining the designer’s role in the tech world
Once starry-eyed about changing the world, many now see digital design through a pragmatic lens—it’s another business investment with limits. This change urges designers to rediscover joy in the process and align work with personal values beyond profit. (DOC)
Unlock endless browser task automation
Imagine recording a task once and having it run on its own, freeing time and boosting productivity. CopyCat promises to transform how you work by automating browser tasks with just a prompt and screen recording. (CopyCat)
Free design resources to elevate your brand
Freebiesbug shares 2,160+ top-notch design resources, from fonts to HTML templates. (Freebiesbug)
Meet goose, your personal AI agent
From debugging to deployment, Goose executes complex coding operations locally, giving you more control while freeing you to focus on other things. (Codename Goose)
What’s trending
Why viral success can backfire for your product
Andrew Chen’s deep dive into the viral growth of products exposes a harsh reality: fleeting fame often attracts Looky-Loos, users with little engagement or value. (Andrew Chen)
A shift to sobriety: is this the new normal in america?
America’s alcohol industry faces a downturn as sales drop by nearly 3%, revealing a shift in consumer behavior. With increased awareness of health risks and the growing popularity of sobriety among Gen Z, the “alcohol recession” is redefining the market. (The Hustle)
Open-source side hustle scales big
David grew his open-source project into a $2M ARR venture by leveraging community support and transparency. This success story highlights the power of community-driven development and open collaboration in building sustainable business models. Founders can take note: aligning with a passionate user base can be a powerful growth catalyst. (Indie Hackers)
My stack
These are the tools that help me run my business every day. I happily pay for each of them—they’re worth every penny. I hope you find them useful, too.
- Beehiiv → How I send this newsletter every week. 10/10 would recommend.
- Brain.fm → How I kickstart my productivity and find flow-state.
- Figma → How I quickly go from idea to design to product.
- Mercury → The best business banking I’ve ever used.
- Screen Studio → How I record engaging videos.
- Typefully → How I post content to my socials.
- Kick → My bookkeeping on auto-pilot.
And that’s a wrap!
Thanks for reading today’s issue. If you have any ideas for what you’d like me to cover in future issues, just hit reply and let me know.
And if you found today’s newsletter useful, please share it with your friends!
Matt Downey
Founder, Digital Native
@mattdowney